Question
A 60-year-old female presents with two months history of a feeling of dry mouth and a gritty sensation in her eyes. The patient is on no medications. On exam, the buccal mucosa appears dry, and the salivary glands are enlarged bilaterally. Serum antinuclear antibodies are positive. What is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?
| A. |
SLE
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| B. |
Mixed connective tissue disorder
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| C. |
Sjögren’s syndrome
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| D. |
Behcet’s disease
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Show Answer
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Correct Answer � C
Explanation
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Ans. c
Antinuclear antibodies are present in many disorders, such as SLE, scleroderma, Sjögren’s syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis, among others.
Clinically, their repeated absence goes against the diagnosis of SLE. However, in other disorders, they have a limited diagnostic role.
Features of dry eyes and dry mouth in a 60-year-old female suggest the diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome.
Sjogren’s syndrome can be primary or secondary.
Secondary Sjögren’s syndrome is associated with various disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, mixed connective tissue disorder, and others.
However, no additional clinical features are provided to consider an alternate diagnosis.
Behcet’s disease involves oral and genital ulcers with uveitis.
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